This is our eight-step process to help you successfully sell your home. When you work with us, this is the scope of services we will provide. It is not necessarily inclusive of everything you may encounter in selling a home. It is a guide that lists the steps as they should occur, and how we can help you in the process of selling your home. We will guide you through this process and assist you ever step of the way!

1. UNDERSTANDING HOW TO APPRAISE YOUR HOME

• Discuss and explain the appraisal process.
• Review a sample appraisal.
• Discuss various appraisal principles and how they will be applied in creating a Detailed Market Analysis of your home.
• Discuss options you have if your home does not appraise for at least the sale price.
• Discuss possible repairs that could be required by a FHA or VA appraiser.

2. UNDERSTANDING HOW TO PRICE YOUR HOME

• Review and Analyze the current real estate market in your specific area or subdivision. Consider…
• Homes currently for sale.
• Homes under contract.
• Homes recently sold.
• Compare and adjust other properties to your home in particular.
• Create a Detailed Market Analysis to determine the Range in Fair Market Value for your property.
• Recommend a list price for your home.

3. UNDERSTANDING CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS

• Review current real estate market in your general area and other nearby subdivisions. Consider…
• Homes currently for sale.
• Homes currently under contract
• Homes recently sold.
• Determine average Days On Market, or how long it might take to sell your house.
• Discuss current interest rates and the trend… Up, Down or Stable.

4. CALCULATE YOUR BOTTOM LINE

• Itemize and explain closing costs for which the seller is typically responsible.
• Complete a Sellers Net Proceeds worksheet to determine how much money you will net from the sale.
• Explain variations in Conventional, FHA and VA financing and how each of these types of loans can affect your net proceeds.
• Explain accrued interest and the difference between your mortgage balance and your mortgage payoff. How much you really owe on your property?
• Discuss prepayment penalty with regard to the type of mortgage loan on your home.
• Explain property tax pro-rations.
• Explain Home Owner Association and regime fee pro-rations, if applicable.
• Explain escrow and insurance refunds - how you should get more money after closing.

5. ADVERTISING AND MARKETING YOUR HOME

• We will provide maximum exposure to sell your property.
• We will list your home in the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors (CTAR) Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Thousands of local Realtors and Buyers will have easy access to the information on your property.
• We will list your home on www.Realtor.com. This site is sponsored by the National Association of Realtors and has more information about real estate and homes for sale than any other real estate website you will find. Potential buyers from all over the country will search this website for property for sale in the Charleston Area.
• We will advertise your home in The Charleston Post and Courier. We use picture and line ads. Your property will also be listed on their website at www.Charleston.net.
• We will provide an MLS lockbox for easy access to show your home.
• We will prepare an information brochure on your home.
• We will place a For Sale sign in the front yard.
• We will install a brochure box on the yard sign.
• We will have an open house at your property.

6. PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SALE

• Provide you with information on Things To Do to prepare your home for sale.
• Discuss the condition of your property and determine if there are repairs you should make or if you should sell in "As-Is" condition.
• Discuss the difference between repairs and improvements.
• Discuss the advantages of a Home Warranty and whether or not you should offer one.

7. NEGOTIATING THE CONTRACT

• We will assist you in negotiating the contract with the buyer. Our contract of sale is six pages long and addresses 28 points of concern. We will explain each and every clause in the contract to ensure that you clearly understand every issue.
• Ensure that the buyer has been pre-qualified for a mortgage to purchase your property.
• Discuss if you should pay closing costs for the buyer if they ask. Sometimes it is OK and sometimes it is not. It could potentially void your sale.
• Explain how and when you will have a ratified contract on your home.
• Review the home inspection and negotiate repairs with the buyer. Determine what items you should agree to repair and what items you should not.
• Obtain prices from contractors for repairs.

8. THE CLOSING

Once the contract is ratified, the final phase is for both the buyer and seller to perform their obligations in a timely manner in order to close the transaction.

• Complete repairs in a timely manner.
• Recommend pest control companies and when to order CL-100 Report (Termite Letter).
• Follow up with buyer or buyers’ agent to ensure they are meeting their contractual obligations in a timely manner.
• Monitor buyer’s mortgage company until loan approval.
• Recommend when to terminate or transfer utilities.
• Review settlement statement prior to closing. Make sure everything is correct and there are no surprises at the closing.
• Attend the real estate closing with you.